Axemen Sign Three

Bemidji, MN - Axemen head coach Robert Fuller announced today that the team has signed quarterback Kyle Padron, defensive lineman Montez Robinson, and running back DeMario Pippen to a contract for the upcoming Indoor Football League season.

"We are excited to welcome Kyle, DeMario, and Montez to the Axemen family," Fuller stated. "These guys are very talented football players and we expect them to contribute to the success of our franchise right away."

Padron, the 6'3" 225 lbs. quarterback from Keller, TX, started his college career at SMU before transferring to Eastern Washington University for his final year of college. Throughout his collegiate career, Padron completed 621 of 1,025 for 8,393 yards and 58 touchdowns. As a sophomore, Padron earned honorable mention All-Conference USA honors while setting SMU records for passing yards (3,828), total yards (4,072), touchdowns (31), completions (302), and attempts (508). In 2012, Padron appeared in 11 games for the EWU Eagles throwing for 2,491 yards and 17 touchdowns. After college, Padron attended rookie minicamp with the Oakland Raiders.--

"Kyle has played in a lot of big games throughout his career and is a leader," reflected Fuller. "He brings with him the intangibles you look for in a quarterback and he has the ability to do some special things here."

Robinson, the Indianapolis, IN native, played collegiately at the University of Georgia where was named a member of the preseason 2nd Team All-SEC squad. For the Bulldogs, the 6'4", 265 lb. Robinson recorded five tackles, two and a half tackles-for-loss, and two quarterback sacks. Most recently, Robinson started six games for the San Angelo Bandits of the Lone Star Football League.

"Montez could be a very good defensive lineman for us and we're very excited about his potential," Fuller said. "When you're 6'4" and 265 pounds and run like an outside linebacker or strong safety, you have a chance to be pretty good."

Pippen spent the first three years of his college career at Jackson State University before transferring to Tuskegee University to play his senior year. In 2011, he started nine of 10 games for the Tigers, recording 125 carries and 584 yards and 5 touchdowns as well as 15 passes for 126 yards. He finished the season second on the team in receptions and in individual scoring (30 points). After college, Pippen signed an undrafted free agent contract with the Denver Broncos.

"With DeMario, we get another impact player at the running back position to go along with Richard Stokes," stated Fuller. "We feel these guys have that home run ability every time they touch the football, but they can also be very effective inside zone runners as well."

With this most recent round of signings, the Axemen have 14 players signed for their inaugural season roster.

"One of the pillars of our program philosophy is to help young men advance their playing careers," Fuller reiterated. "We're very hopeful that playing here for us will help get them back in front of NFL/CFL player personnel and on to bigger and better opportunities."